The 10 Most Enchanting Magical Girl Anime of All Time

Transformative, captivating, and heart-warming—the magical girl genre has cemented its place in anime culture over the past three decades. With its delightful tropes, unforgettable characters, and legions of fans, it's no wonder the genre continues to thrive. If you're looking to explore beyond the iconic classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, our curated list is here to guide you through the best magical girl anime, introducing you to new favorites, underrated gems, and contemporary series to fill that magical girl-shaped void in your life.

Get ready for an enchanting journey filled with witches, cat DNA, magical rods, and more! Here are the 10 most enchanting magical girl anime of all time.

10 Best Magical Girl Anime of All Time

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10. Little Witch Academia

Image credit: Netflix
Studio: Studio Trigger | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Netflix

Little Witch Academia is an adorable magical school story that reimagines the magical girl trope for a post-Harry Potter audience. When Akko enrolls at the fantastical Luna Nova Magical Academy, her lifelong dream of learning magic becomes a reality. Despite her admiration for the famed witch Shiny Chariot, Akko herself isn't naturally magical. That changes when she discovers a magical artifact linked to her idol, sparking a mission to reignite the world's love for magic. This delightful series blends coming of age with witchcraft, emphasizing cozy friendships and a fresh take on magic. It's a must-watch anime series available on Netflix.

There have been 25 episodes of Little Witch Academia across two seasons, but the future of a Season 3 remains uncertain.

9. Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol

Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 25 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

This 1986 series is a pioneering example of magical girl anime, making it a must-include on our list. It also taps into the beloved anime and manga trope of a protagonist aspiring to become a mangaka. Yumi, an aspiring artist with a deep love for flowers, inherited from her florist parents, receives magical gifts—a wand and a locket—after saving a flower. These gifts bring her drawings to life. Retro and charming, Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol is an underappreciated gem worth exploring.

8. Tokyo Mew Mew

Image credit: Studio Pierrot
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Episode Count: 52 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

Adapted from the manga by Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi, Tokyo Mew Mew offers a unique twist on the magical girl genre. Our protagonist, Ichigo Momomiya, gains her powers from an accident that infuses her with cat DNA, leading to a werewolf-like transformation. She teams up with other affected girls to combat an alien threat linked to their new abilities. This series is wildly fun, and its recent reboot elevates it to new heights of awesomeness!

7. My-HiME

Image credit: Sunrise
Studio: Sunrise | Episode Count: 26 + 26 DVD-only shorts | Where to watch: Crunchyroll

My-HiME seamlessly blends the magical girl trope with boarding school drama. Mai's life changes dramatically when she joins the secretive Fuuka Academy. Initially feeling out of place, she soon discovers her purpose and others like her, marked with a special symbol that allows them to summon a familiar to battle nightmarish creatures. These "Children" are deeply connected to someone they love, adding intense stakes to the battles.

6. Pretty Cure

Image credit: Toei Animation
Studio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 800 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll

If you're looking for a magical girl series with multiple seasons to dive into, Pretty Cure is your answer. With an impressive 800 episodes, it follows young girls who gain magical powers to fight evil. This series embodies the classic magical girl narrative and continues to captivate with its technicolor charm and delightful creatures.

5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Image credit: Shaft
Studio: Shaft | Episode Count: 12 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Hulu

Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes the magical girl trope and infuses it with a darker, more profound narrative. Young women are offered a contract by a cat-like being, granting them powers to fight witches. This series delves into the harsh realities of being a magical girl, exploring themes of trauma, exploitation, and the lies told to young people, making it a compelling and thought-provoking watch.

4. Magic Knight Rayearth

Image credit: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha | Episode Count: 49 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Prime Video

Created by the renowned artist collective CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth is an ambitious magical girl series that transports friends Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji to a magical world during a school field trip. This high fantasy epic showcases CLAMP's signature expansive worldbuilding, stunning animation, and complex relationships. It's a series you can revisit time and again, and there were even Magic Knight Rayearth games released in the '90s.

3. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Image credit: J.C. Staff
Studio: J.C. Staff | Episode Count: 39 | Where to watch: Not available to stream

Revolutionary Girl Utena, created by Chiho Saito and Be-Papas, is one of the most influential and subversive magical girl anime. Inspired by chivalry, it follows Utena, an orphan who aspires to become a prince after meeting a charming one. Her journey leads her to a secretive dueling contest at her school, where she becomes entangled with the mysterious Rose Bride. This surrealistic series is a meta-exploration of the genre's tropes and expectations.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura

Image credit: Madhouse
Studio: Madhouse | Episode Count: 70 | Where to watch: Crunchyroll

A classic from CLAMP, Cardcaptor Sakura transformed the magical girl genre for many viewers. Sakura's discovery of a mysterious book in her basement unleashes the dangerous Clow Cards. As a powerful magic user, she embarks on a mission to capture them, aided by the enigmatic creature Cerberus. This fashion-forward, action-packed series blends magical girl elements with the card-collecting craze.

1. Sailor Moon

Image credit: Toei Animation
Studio: Toei Animation | Episode Count: 200 + 3 TV Specials | Where to watch: Hulu

Topping our list is Naoko Takeuchi's groundbreaking Sailor Moon, arguably one of the best anime of all time. The story of Usagi, a normal schoolgirl who becomes the titular Sailor Moon, is a classic for its stunning animation, character designs, and iconic transformation sequences. Each Sailor Scout is uniquely developed, allowing fans to connect with their favorites. This series is the most influential and impactful on our list, a must-watch for any anime enthusiast.

And those are our picks for the best magical girl anime! They're all enchanting, but did your favorite make the cut? Let us know in the comments.

Looking for more anime to watch online? Take a look at our guide to the best vampire anime as well as our list of the most underrated anime series.